Lenny Kravitz | |
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Kravitz in July 2013
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Born |
Leonard Albert Kravitz May 26, 1964 Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
Other names | Lenny Romeo Blue |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1988–present |
Spouse(s) | Lisa Bonet (m. 1987–93) |
Children | Zoë Kravitz |
Parent(s) |
Roxie Roker Sy Kravitz |
Relatives |
Leonard M. Kravitz (uncle) Al Roker (cousin) |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
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Labels |
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Associated acts | |
Website | lennykravitz |
Notable instruments | |
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. His "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, blues, soul, R&B, funk, jazz, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, pop, folk, and ballads. In addition to singing lead and backing vocals, Kravitz often plays all of the instruments himself when recording.
He won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category as well as setting the record for most consecutive wins in one category by a male. He has been nominated for and won other awards, including American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Radio Music Awards, Brit Awards, and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. On December 1, 2011, Kravitz was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He played Cinna in the Hunger Games film series.
Kravitz was born in Manhattan, New York, the son of actress Roxie Roker (1929–1995) and NBC television news producer Sy Kravitz. His father was from a Jewish family (with origins from Ukraine; see the Kravits surname). His mother was of Bahamian and African-American descent, and was from a Christian family. Kravitz is the cousin (once removed) of television weather presenter Al Roker. During his early years, Kravitz did not grow up in a religious environment. After a spiritual experience when he was 13, he started attending church, becoming a non-denominational Christian.